As long as you are "cool," I doubt you’ll have any problems. I’ve partied with people of all ages. Ja, you might be a little older than many of the backpackers, but you will likely meet people close to your age as well.

Nah, no problems. The party spots I went to had people of all ages.

No, Don’t think like that, 31 is not too old to have fun, No matter what you’ll find somebody your age.

First of all no.

Second, a double no if you have $$$.

There is an age stigma in the US at 31?! I live in Hawaii, but thats like the average age in the bars and clubs here…
Im 23, but I would rather party with people around 30, and won’t date under 30! So… no.

Just leave your walker at home..hehehe…

Tiff

quote: Second, a double no if you have $$$.

So true.

No, your not too old. I’m 35, and have a blast and meet tons of people on every trip.

I agree with all the above…

We study for longer periods and for this reason the gap between university students/newly grads and your age is short.

Be aware though that here many clubs/bars are somewhat defined by age groups. While most bars can see just teenagers and 40 years old adults seat nearby, many others will not. I suggest you to avoid the teenageers clubs and bars, because there you will put aside.

Either way, unless you are looking necessarily for your countrymates and backpackers, you will find yourself being really comfortable in lounges targeted to europeans your age: despite more expensive than the usual, these are often designed wonderfully (our best designers have as target in recent times bars and lounges) and attract a well educated and interesting crowd.

Thanks guys. That’s good to know. I can’t wait to make it over there.

I think I’m set on Berlin, although Hamburg and parts of the Netherlands were interesting to me for a while.

Okay, we’ve seen comments on age 31 and age 35. How about 53?

quote:
Okay, we’ve seen comments on age 31 and age 35. How about 53?

Like I said earlier, if you have some $$$..at least more than the yonger crowd…you’ll attract major hotties. $$$ will make age inconsequential.

Plenty of 53 year old Europeans party too.

31 is definitely not too old in Europe. Not only is it a young age in general, but it’s also young enough to party. Europeans also tend to marry later than Americans. Hence, one of the many factors that contribute to low birth rates.

pgtaddress,

First off, do whatever you feel. But if you want to know what a 53 year old can do in Europe: he can take his wife and do whatever he wants: go to the beach, dine alfresco in the piazzas, and yes nightlife. Especially in Southern Europe, where everyone is out and about at midnight during the summer months, not just people under 35. In the summer, in any sizeable town in Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, France, you’ll see young people, old people, middle aged people, children, families, singles, everyone enjoying a beautiful southern evening. This is really awesome especially after a relaxing siesta as the Spaniards call it (or riposo in Italy, or mesiméri in Greece). 53 is a young age. Your European counterparts, who grew up in post-war Europe, spent their childhood and young adult years in far better times than their parents did. As youngsters, they enjoyed much lower infant mortality rates than previous generations, improved nutrition and health care, and they now face life expectancies in the 80s.

Perhaps you won’t enjoy a bar filled with 25-year-olds, but there’s plenty of nightlife that caters to your generation, and you’ll see many Europeans your age enjoying life.

quote:
I am moving to Europe (probably Berlin) but was wondering if I’m too old to party with the young people. I’m 31 years old and although I look younger, and heard Europeans study to a much older age (like 26-28 when they finish school), I’m wondering if there are any age stigmas like in the U.S.

Thanks.

The only stigma you’ll experience is the one you allow yourself to experience. If you make yourself appealing to the party crowd no matter what age you are they’ll accept you.

Thank you for your comments, User, Clunker, and Luv. I was just doing a reality check for myself! I’ve been doing my share of visiting some of the partying scenes in Europe for the better part of the past 9 years, and I wanted some objective feedback. Starting when I was 37, I’ve been to and through European capitals a number of times, and once I had seen the must-see sights for tourists I decided to start making myself feel at home in the parts that don’t make it into the glossy travel guides. I have found people of all ages receptive, open to conversation, and interesting. And I discovered that nightclubs and bars, coffeshops and hostels welcome everyone. And while sometimes I wonder what it would be like to travel without a backpack but instead be taxied from airport or train station to the swankiest hotels, I do not think I would enjoy the experience as much as I have enjoyed my much cheaper excursions into Europe.

RE: 53 and what to do.

I moved to Denmark when i was 56. It is a serious party culture. I had no problems, except in terms of keeping up. It was much more "lively" than in the US when I was 55! 10 years later and i am still at it.

Young people can not imagine their parents partying and having sex, let alone one night stands!

I will be 39 years old – in exactly 35 days!!!! Still, I will be partying in Germany and Italy in September…
YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO ENJOY LIFE!